Winter Trailer Sweats

[lizloveshorses]

I bought a new (to me) trailer recently and am hauling my two horses 16+ hours in about a month to snowbird. Today, I loaded them up to get them used to the new space and we went down the road to town, stopped for about 10 minutes, then turned around and came back home. Total trip was about 90 minutes. I checked on them in town and they were both surprisingly sweaty. It was a mild day (39f) but I was concerned and didn’t want them soaking wet when we got back because it would take hours to get them dry.

I opened the vents before we left and cracked the head and tail side windows, but I was surprised with how sweaty they were so on the return I opened the slide windows all the way. They weren’t dripping when we got back, but they were still pretty wet for how little we did. For the two day trip next month, I’m wondering if I should put coolers on them before we get started? What other winter long-distance trailering tips do you have?

[Bonnie2]

You don’t mention if the horses are clipped/not clipped. As you have found, two horses in a two horse trailer make a lot of heat! For a 16 hour trip at 40 degrees I would run with the windows open and a light wind proof sheet on the horses. A warmer cover if the horses are clipped. And bring a choice of clothes for changing weather. Be aware that they will heat up in stop and go traffic or still at a traffic closure. You were very smart to take a trial voyage!

[ASB_Stars]

That humidity in a trailer is conducive to respiratory issues- especially on a long ride. Start out with your windows half-open, and check on them hourly. I think a sheet is a great idea if they are clipped, but not so much if they aren’t. Sweaty horses are itchy horses, and that’s unpleasant.

Good luck!

[JB]

What vents do you have? If roof vents, make sure they’re open to pointing to the back so they are allowing trailer air to escape. For Summer you want the opening to the front to suck in cooler air.

Don’t be afraid to open windows to the rear of them more than you maybe did. Do your head and tail windows slide horizontally or vertically? They may just need to be opened a little more.

Do you have windows in the door/ramp section? If so, open those as well.

When you checked on them in town, was that before or after the 10 minute stop?

What will temps be like when you travel for real?

I agree on the blanket scenarios based on being clipped or not.

[Amy3996]

@lizloveshorses

I opened the vents before we left and cracked the head and tail side windows, but I was surprised with how sweaty they were so on the return I opened the slide windows all the way. They weren’t dripping when we got back, but they were still pretty wet for how little we did. For the two day trip next month, I’m wondering if I should put coolers on them before we get started?

I’d be hesitant to put coolers on - adding a layer may only make them warmer, and once the cooler is damp, that fabric gets cold quickly. I’d open vents/windows all the way and leave them unblanketed. You can always close windows or add a sheet if they seem cold when you stop to check on them, but a long haul with overheated, sweaty horses seems like a recipe for trouble.

I’m similarly conflicted about blanketing for a trailer trip coming up next week. Fully clipped TB hauling 2 hours in 25-30F weather in a 2 horse trailer with a buddy. I’d rather err on the side of too cool than too warm, so I’m leaning towards a 100g sheet.

[lizloveshorses]

Thanks, all. They are not clipped and will stay woolly before we leave. I have a 3 horse slant (horses are in the back two stalls) with roof vents and opened them but I can’t remember which direction yesterday. I think I did a couple pointing forward and one pointing back? I’ll make sure they’re all pointing towards the back next time.

@JB I have vertical slides on the head, tail, and rear door. I kept the rear window closed but I’ll open next time and see if that helps. l checked on them just when we arrived and they were that sweaty so opened more windows to go back home and I think(?) they cooled off a bit.

Weather is impossible to judge. We’re in Colorado and are going to TX so we’ll hit one or two high mountain passes, but I have flexibility in my schedule and can plan the trip around any impending snow storms. I’ll probably do another trial trip again next weekend if the roads are decent and get more intel. @Amy3996 thanks for the suggestion not to put on a cooler. I’ll have one available for when we stop, otherwise just keep checking them when I get fuel, etc.

[Aleuronx]

One of the best things I ever got for my trailer was an interior/exterior wireless weather thingy. Sensor is in the horse compartment in the trailer and I can keep real time tabs on the temperature and humidity back there while traveling. They’re not that expensive and it has paid itself off in peace of mind.

I travel one horse consistently and can say in summer with everything blasting open the temperature gets about 1-2 degrees warmer in the trailer than the outside temperature. In winter depending on the outside temp, I will open some or none (20F and below) windows to keep it some what not super cold in there. One horse in there for a typical 1hr travel with no windows open heats it up about 10 degrees more than outside temperature for reference. Two horses will definitely increase these amounts.

Only other question would be are these seasoned travelers? Nervous horses will sweat out no matter what the temperature if they are worried travelers.

[JB]

@lizloveshorses

I kept the rear window closed but I’ll open next time and see if that helps.

oh yeah, definitely open that. Between roof vents open to the back, and rear windows open, that’s a lot of gentle air movement to keep damp air from building up. Then the head/body windows can be slid open a touch to allow small bits of fresh air in

[lizloveshorses]

Great I’ll take a look at a weather monitor. Do you have a brand you recommend? I’d be interested in one that also had a camera attached to do double duty.

They are not seasoned travelers. The amount of poop yesterday for 90 minutes was… a lot. Hoping that weekly down the road and back trips will help them feel more comfortable before the long haul.

Interestingly, my mare sweat mostly on her right side. My gelding was also more sweaty on his right side than left. Maybe it was also a strength and balance thing? Overusing some muscles more than others?

@JB thanks! As a newby, it’s nice when someone who has done it a lot has good advice. Thank you!

[GraceLikeRain]

@lizloveshorses

They are not seasoned travelers. The amount of poop yesterday for 90 minutes was… a lot. Hoping that weekly down the road and back trips will help them feel more comfortable before the long haul.

That was my instinct. Horses shouldn’t be heavily sweating in a Ventilated trailer in 40 degrees. I think that it’s stress sweat. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see a huge drop in sweating with more positive experiences.

[Aleuronx]

I have a ThermoPro, I think it was like $25. The sensor charges USB and lasts something crazy like 9 months. I have the display in my truck console and can just peep at it as we go. A very low cost peace of mind for traveling IMO.

[Jaegermonster]

Definitely have all the vents and windows open all the way.
I can leave the upper doors open on my 2h so i do that too.
No coolers etc.
horses heat themselves very well, it’s cooling they have an issue with. Better they should be a little cool than too warm

[lizloveshorses]

Great advice here as usual! Did a second short trip yesterday, opened all the windows and vents, horses stayed cool and had no patches of sweat anywhere when we got back home.

[Xanthoria]

I got this little battery operated temp guage. I put the sensor on the wall above the horse’s butts (away from windows/drafts) and keep the display in the cab.

Amazon.com: Taylor Precision Products Wireless Digital Indoor/Outdoor...